Sacrifice Makes You Tired

Ryan Egan —  April 20, 2011 — 13 Comments

I’m tired lately.  I’m tired of waiting.  I’m tired of God telling me to “be patient.”  I’m tired of dreaming big dreams but not having the time or means to execute them.  And I’m just plain tired physically and mentally.

And I’m wondering if it’s okay.  I’m sacrificing sleep in order to both keep my house in order and do a second “job” that doesn’t pay me anything but provide the fuel for what I’m passionate about.  I’m sacrificing my dreams and passions in order to provide for my family so that I don’t sacrifice our security.

It’s hard to balance life when certain sacrifices lead you to security but decreased involvement in what you’re truly passionate about and when other sacrifices lead you to a lack of sleep and rest but increased involvement in your dreams and passions.

Is this a life of worship? I don’t know.  I just know that I’m doing my best to honor God in my 8-hour workday, taking care of my wife and daughter, AND in attempting to work as a passionate volunteer for the church.  I’m trying to follow the command to “whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” from Colossians 3. But I’m tired.  And it’s hard lately.  Maybe I’m missing something.

Question: How do you balance a full-time job, family life, and what you’re REALLY passionate about? Click here to leave a comment.

This post is part of the How to be an Offering series written every Wednesday.  To participate, write a post about how you or someone you know is being a living sacrifice.  Link back to this post within your post and leave a comment letting everyone know.  Also, if you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #livingsacrifice.

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Ryan Egan

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Ryan is a follower of Christ, husband, father, worship leader, & creative. He is heavily involved in the Association of Free Lutheran Churches and desires to teach others to live a life of worship in everything they do.
  • Zachary

    Man, I feel ya! In the last year, I have burned myself out with serving, leading, dreaming, and trying to do everything to its fullest for God. Now I’m exhausted, sick, and overweight. Balance? What’s balance, when there’s so much work to be done?!?!

    I think the key is, as just as you said, “WHATEVER you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That doesn’t necessarily mean that you should do EVERYTHING you can possibly do until you get fried and can’t do anything anymore… Instead, “WHATEVER you do…”

    If you are like me, you feel called into too many things. At some point, chasing dreams leaves you numb – even if they are ultimately for God’s glory. I’m faced with the reality of needing to “execute” Psalm 46:10, “BE STILL and know that I am God.” It’s solid advice.

    Praying you find rest, peace and stillness.

    Z

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    EXCELLENT perspective, Zachary. Thanks so much for sharing and for you encouragement!

  • http://twitter.com/chrisfromcanada Chris Vacher

    Hopefully nobody is using Colossians 3 as a way to make you feel pressured to DO more.

  • http://twitter.com/chrisfromcanada Chris Vacher

    Look at the other words in that passage..

    peace
    thankful
    wisdom
    gratitude

    If those aren’t describing you’re DO-ing, we’re missing the mark. It’s about Jesus and what he gives, not about our doing and what we give.

    That may not be helpful but that’s what I’ve got right now :)

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    Absolutely not, Chris – the pressure’s definitely self-induced. I’m just struggling with the 8-5 grind and not being able to truly pursue my passions without compromising my family’s security.

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    Very helpful. It means a lot – thanks.

  • Melissa

    Ryan,
    I love your passion, never give it up, no matter how tired you become. The hardest part is letting go of the control piece, and letting Spirit in. Sometimes we have to just get out of the way, and let God move through us. Even though movement feels very slow, it is happening, it’s just hard to see. That said, there are lots of demands on your time right now. As your child grows up, more time will appear out of thin air. Keep the faith my friend.

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    Thanks so much, Melissa! Much appreciated!

  • http://twitter.com/jgangwish Jason Gangwish

    Ryan – Great post – Love your transparency, and I read ‘myself’ in your post. With two boys (2 & 4) and one due FRIDAY – it is hard to find balance. I haven’t read all of it but Andy Stanley has a great book called “Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide?” (on amazon)

    I’m doing a 2 – part post on ‘juggling balloons’ here are my thoughts on the subject: http://wp.me/pwmLJ-q5 — funny we posted similar things on the same day!

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    I glanced over that post yesterday and I was thinking the same thing, “Wow – we’re experiencing some similar things!” Thanks for stopping by and I’ll plan on reading those tonight.

  • http://www.theuniuni.com/ Payton_vege

    Amazing write-up! This could aid plenty of people find out more about this particular issue. Are you keen to integrate video clips coupled with these? It would absolutely help out. Your conclusion was spot on and thanks to you; I probably won’t have to describe everything to my pals. I can simply direct them here!

  • http://joshuawagneronline.com/ Josh Wagner

    Sometimes I think we need to put in the work to get to do the things we like. Think Jacob, he worked for 7 years and married an extra wife to finally marry Rachel, the one he wanted.

    Sometimes it stinks. I’m right there with you. But there’s a reason, you’ll just have to look for it.

  • http://www.iamanoffering.com iamanoffering

    Right on. Thanks so much for the encouragement this morning.